some very STRANGE symptoms.... - Hearing Disorders Message Board

rach923 · 06-12-2003, 09:35 PM

i'm not sure if i'll get many replies here, but i thought there was no harm in trying...i've had this problem lately with "itchy" ears...i know your not supposed stick small things in your ears, but the only thing that relieves my itching is to rub with a q-tip...i'm not congested, i'm on allegra and nasonex, and there's no infection, no wax buildup, but my doc said that one ear was "slightly" irritated, that they looked "slightly raw" and i've put a small scratch in one of my ear canals from rubbing so hard with the q-tip...but its so annoying, i mean, its like telling a kid with chicken pox not to itch...i seriously cannot concentrate on anything else???

also, i've always seemed to have what my parents deem "selective hearing", but lately really weird things have been happening...if i'm doing some real strenuous activity, my hearing will kinda fade momentarily...and sometimes people will be talking to me, and not only will i not notice them talking to me...i won't even hear them talking, but after awhile, they're just like, rachael??? rachael??? RACHAEL?? and then i'm pulled back "out of space"...anyone know of any problems like that???

i'm planning on calling my GP and ask for a recommendation to an ENT, cause i'm sick of this problem, and he doesn't see anything drastically wrong...but then i feel bad, cause my parents already pay money for me to be at a GI, and now i'm at an oesteopath, and my back sitch is getting more complicated, so i feel another specialist "coming along"...plus, my parents have this problem...everytime i mention a physical problem, they roll there eyes like, "what is it now???" but i know they care...any suggestions for any of this???

rach

mlgable · 06-13-2003, 08:07 AM

Sounds like you have an ear irritation which could well be caused from water in the ear or something else. Since the doc already saw irritation I am surprised he didn't give you something for it either drops or cream to rub on the itchy area. Until you see the doc you may want to buy some swimmers ear drops that are available in the ear/eye department of your local pharmacy or walmart type store. As for you hearing you may need to see an audiologist for a hearing test but the ENT doc will decide on that.

rach923 · 06-13-2003, 10:31 AM

so you think that an ENT could solve my hearing question and my irritation problem...i hate bugging GP's about problems they haven't really been train in, b/c lots of time they just get irritated, but specialists...you can nag and they have all the patience in the world...well, most of them anyway

any other suggestions??? thanks!

rach

mlgable · 06-13-2003, 07:08 PM

Your GP should be doing more for your itching problems than he is which is why I think an ENT is in order. Since your GP isn't working with you on this problem you either need to see a new doc or an ENT. Basically your GP should be able to handle almost all of your needs and when something is out of their league then they should refer you to a specialist. Your GP has not done either of these.........he did not try anything for your problem nor did he refer you to a specialist if he didn't think he could handle your problem. This is just a personal opinion but if he is that lax about taking care of your general medical needs I would consider trying a different doc.

zip2play · 06-14-2003, 07:39 AM

rach,

Try a teeny bit of hydrocortisone cream lightly applied to the itchy surfaces. See if that helps. Often that's all that's needed.

Beyond just the effect of the Q-tip rubbing, causes might be fungus (treatable with lamisil or clotrimazole, or something bacterial...then you need something prescription like Floxin Otic drops.)

My GUESS is fungal!
Any GP should be able to handle any of these.

Don't overdo the Q-Tips....they seem to cause more trouble than they're worth.